#⭒ ˙ ˖ ✧ — ˗ˏˋ ❝ ᴋɪɴɢ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋᴏᴏᴘᴀꜱ ❞ ¦ 「 Bowser 」

[canon-fcdder]

"I had it under control! You didn’t need to do that." ( BowserLuigi )

-  ✩   「 @forthehonorandtheglory​ 」   ✩  

「 ☆ 」   Luigi does his best not to flinch when Bowser snaps at him and he’s nearly successful. True, his breath may have caught in his chest and his spine may have stiffened a bit when the large male turned toward him. But that’s leagues better than how he used to yelp at the slightest provocation. Turns out it’s a lot easier to be brave around a monster-turtle when you’re doing it for your brother. On his own? It’s more of a struggle, but he still WANTS to do it. Wants to mend the- unfortunate circumstances that led to meeting Bowser. Because, hard as it may be to believe, he can relate to him.

They’re both just... trying their best to feel like they belong.

Even if Bowser’s methods were a bit more FORCEFUL and destructive. Desperate.

Which is why Luigi couldn’t quietly stand by at the unkind murmurs that had stirred when Bowser walked past. Luigi can understand the fear that still lingers, the distrust and daresay dislike that follows the King Koopa whenever he visits the Mushroom Kingdom. After the debacle that led to this tentative truce, all Toadstools aren’t exactly eager to welcome with open arms. So Luigi had seen fit to put himself between Bowser and the nay-sayers, clumsily but vehemently defending his intentions. Nothing wrong with a friendly visit, after all.

Even one from Bowser.

Now a fair distance from the confrontation, Luigi releases a shaky breath before firmly stating,  ❝  Yes. I did.  ❞  Swallowing thickly, he averts his gaze, fingers tugging one another in a nervous tick,  ❝  L-Look, I... I’ve never really been the guy to- step in front of someone when things are looking bad. I know you saw different back when— Ahem, yeah...  ❞  Trailing off, Luigi decides against vocalizing THAT day. They both know what happened when Bowser tried to burn Mario away. No need to bring it up any more than Luigi already has.  ❝  That’s always been my brother, y’know? He was always the guy to step up. To take the hit. To save the day.  ❞

❝  Well, I want to be that guy. I want to be the one to- to step in when people need him. The kinda person others can rely on. And that means speaking up too, even if heh- it made me feel like my heart was going to fly out of my chest.  ❞  Lightly laughing, a hand rests against his chest, cheeks dusting pink at the admission.  ❝  I’ve never really been good with confrontation... I’m sure someone like you doesn’t know what that’s like though. You always seem so ready for it.  ❞

Realizing that his words could be taken the wrong way, Luigi hastily waves his hands and sputters,  ❝  By which I mean, you’re really good at handling it! Like you said, you had it under control even before I stuck my nose in...  ❞  At the very least, Bowser doesn’t shy away from conflict. Even if he doesn’t always know how to deescalate it.   「 ☆ 」 

[canon-fcdder]

(( Tag Dump - Luigi Mario ))

[canon-fcdder]

"I could keep you safe. They’re all afraid of me." ( BowserLuigi )

-  ✩   「 @forthehonorandtheglory 」   ✩  

「 ☆ 」   Bowser’s words catch Luigi by surprise, the younger Mario brother looking up wide-eyed at the towering Koopa. It’s true that they’ve grown... closer since Luigi decided to give the other man a chance. Decided that, terrified as he may be at the mere thought, he was going to make amends with the King who attempted to kill him. But even with their budding friendship, this newfound sense of strange yet strong SAFETY around Bowser, Luigi hadn’t expected to hear anything like this. To hear Bowser say that he wanted to protect him. 

There’s a big difference between being confident someone wouldn’t purposely harm him, and believing that they’d try to STOP harm from coming to him. Until now, he’s only felt unwavering faith in his brother. Yet as Bowser reassures him, something in his chest, something settled deep within in a way that Luigi hasn’t fully realized yet... he trusts Bowser.

He believes in him.

True, Luigi is trying to rely less on human shields and more-so on his own strength. But that doesn’t make it any less comforting to hear. Especially when it comes from someone like Bowser, who Luigi is pretty sure doesn’t spew such sentiments freely. Smiling up at the Koopa, a gloved hand tentatively moves to rest on Bowser’s, hoping that the touch isn’t overstepping any boundaries. It just... felt like the thing to do. Face dusts with a warmth budding from his chest, and making his stomach feel a tad strange.

❝  Thanks, Bowser... That’s really nice of you to say. Really.  ❞  Feeling awkward in his thanks, heartfelt as it is, Luigi gives the large hand a few light, friendly pats with his hand, the uncertain chuckle only making the gesture feel clunkier. Grimacing at his ineptitude, gaze averts to the side, Luigi pulling down the brim of his hat as if that’ll disguise the embarrassed flush in his face. ❝  Um— Y’know...  ❞  Clearing his throat into a closed fist, he glances at Bowser before looking down.  ❝  It doesn’t have to be that way... and- it won’t be forever.  ❞  

❝  P-People being afraid of you, I mean.  ❞

Looking back at Bowser, smile becomes a bit steadier, showing how much he actually believes in his words.  ❝  You’re a good person. Even if you’ve made some- mistakes in the past. Heh...  ❞  Soft, semi-awkward laugh still sounds more relaxed than it would be around most other people.  ❝  That doesn’t mean you’re not actually really good inside. Sooner or later, people are gonna figure that out. And then they won’t be afraid of you anymore... Except for when you want them to be. ‘Cause you’re still a pretty big and tough guy. Kinda hard not to take threats from someone like that seriously.  ❞ 

This time the chuckle accompanying his words sounds a lot more natural.   「 ☆ 」